Volume 2 chapter 45
After concluding the deal with Clyris, Charlo ended the transmission and began to fully explore the awakened System.
Overall, the core mechanics hadn't changed drastically. It was still War-Centric: unlock technology trees through conflict and exchange Research Points earned after battles for blueprints and principles.
Unfortunately, the System didn't simply materialize finished goods. It only provided blueprints and theoretical principles. Charlo still had to build everything himself.
Furthermore, because this world operated on Mana—a force that often told physics to sit down and shut up—Charlo had to adapt the Earth-based blueprints to local rules. A tank engine designed for gasoline needed to be modified to run on Mana Stones, or the efficiency would be terrible.
"Let's see... anything else?" Charlo muttered to himself as he browsed the interface.
This doesn't really feel like Stellaris style...
Then, he scrolled to the bottom and found the System Declaration:
[This System aims to assist and provide reference for the development of Human Civilizations across different universes. Considering that physical laws vary between universes, the System will not directly provide finished products to avoid conflicting with local laws of physics and to prevent civilizations from losing their spirit of enterprise.]
"Hah! Thoughtful..." Charlo shook his head with a wry smile. "But that just means I have to climb the tech tree the hard way, step by grueling step..."
Next, he explored the new functions.
He could now view the Loyalty, Ability Scores, Territory Stability, and Hostility of others.
Crucially, he could grant Sub-Systems to subordinates with a Loyalty score greater than 90. He had three slots in total. One was already with Clyris, leaving two.
Sub-System holders could also unlock tech trees and earn Research Points through war. A portion of their earned points would be funneled back to Charlo.
This was a game-changer. previously, Charlo had to personally command or participate in battles to earn points. Sitting in a command bunker didn't count; he had to be on the field.
This drained his already limited time. With Sub-Systems, even though he only received 30% of their earnings, he no longer had to micromanage every skirmish!
Of course, Ironwood currently lacked anyone capable of independent military command at a strategic level. Davis was good, but he hadn't fully transitioned his mindset to modern warfare. Charlo decided to hold onto the remaining slots for now.
Additionally, the Main System and Sub-Systems shared Communication and Teleportation functions. Real-time chat, video calls, and even personnel transport were possible!
However, given that Clyris was currently surrounded by millions of demons, Charlo decided against visiting. Misunderstandings could be fatal.
The initial teleportation channel was a 10x10x10 meter space. Charlo spent some points to upgrade it to Level 2, expanding the volume by a thousand times. Now, he could ship tens of thousands of rifles and crates of ammo in a single transfer.
Looking at his remaining Research Points, he still had plenty. He upgraded the channel one more time, then exchanged points for First-Generation Jet Fighters, Early Guided Missiles, Radar Technology, and various High-Strength Alloy Formulas.
After this spending spree, his massive stockpile of points bottomed out.
"Hm... Research Points really are never enough..."
Charlo sighed, looking longingly at the locked tech tree: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Generation Fighters, Main Battle Tanks, Hypersonic Missiles, Polymer Composites, Particle Colliders, Nuclear Submarines...
He could only drool.
Those technologies were beyond Ironwood's current industrial base. Even if he bought the blueprints, they would just gather dust.
"But why are Nukes so expensive?" Charlo stared at the entry for a basic Gun-Type Fission Bomb. It cost more than the Gen-1 Fighter and Missile tech combined.
Worthy of being humanity's ultimate weapon.
Fission bombs, Fusion bombs, Neutron bombs... each tier was exponentially more expensive.
Later, Charlo summoned Lawrence. He checked the loyalty stat—91.
Excellent. As expected of my Minister of Internal Affairs who has been with me since the beginning.
"Young Master, you called?" Lawrence asked.
"Lawrence, we need to adjust our weapons production immediately! Increase the output of rifles and aircraft!" Charlo said directly.
"Hm? Is something wrong? The war in the South is going smoothly. Why the sudden increase?" Lawrence asked, puzzled.
"No! It's not for us!" Charlo explained. "I just concluded a deal with Miss Clyris. We will provide her with rifles, ammunition, aircraft, and aerial bombs! She will pay in Mana Stones! Here is the contract."
Charlo handed over the contract he had drafted during the call.
Lawrence took it and read carefully. After a while, he put it down. "The price is fine... but Young Master... are you really doing business with her? Does she actually have that many Mana Stones? Even a Grand Duke couldn't produce hundreds of tons of Mana Stones in one go!"
"Relax! I confirmed it. She has them! She's not short on stones!" Charlo waved his hand. Clyris had hundreds of Mana Synthesis Devices running 24/7. Her daily output exceeded ten thousand tons.
The Demon Realm was a resource-rich place—in minerals, at least.
It was barren of life, a desolate wasteland where only demons, who fed on ambient mana, could thrive. But beneath the rocks lay untold wealth.
Charlo was already considering how to buy minerals from Clyris cheaply later. But for now, he banished the thought. The demons were fighting for survival. Trying to buy their strategic resources now would be insulting and damage their relationship.
"If the payment isn't an issue, how do we deliver the goods? I don't even know where she is!" Lawrence sighed, shifting his worry to logistics.
"Don't worry about that. I will handle the transport personally!" Charlo dismissed the concern.
"Then... I have nothing else to say!" Lawrence sighed again. "Though if possible, I'd prefer gold or silver... We are short on cash! With the rapid population growth, expenses are skyrocketing. The treasury is running low!"
"Relax! A huge sum of money is about to arrive!" Charlo turned to the military map on the wall, grinning.
"Yesterday, Davis broke the combined offensive of the Six Viscounts. He killed a Seventh-Rank Knight sent by a Count to support them. Right now, he's shelling their main camp! It won't be long before they surrender!"
"Get ready. After adjusting the factories, prepare to head South to negotiate!"
"Understood... truly, not a moment of rest," Lawrence lamented.
"Those with ability do more work! Who told you to be the only presentable diplomat in Ironwood?" Charlo smiled apologetically. "Those apprentices you're training are still too green! I don't trust them to negotiate with an enemy Noble Alliance!"
"Model, Thomas, Andrew..." Lawrence thought of his three protégés and shook his head. "True. They are too young. Let them keep practicing with Viscount Baroque and Viscount Rick for now!"
_______________________
While Ironwood shifted into high gear, the war in the Northeast Border of the Balar Empire reached its climax.
BOOM!!!
The massive naval guns of the Dreadnought roared from the coast, sending a 200mm high-explosive shell screaming over twenty kilometers to land squarely on the Noble Alliance's position.
Infantry advanced alongside a company of Type-1 Tanks. The roar of engines mixed with the staccato of machine guns and the boom of tank cannons, weaving a symphony of death.
The Noble Alliance crumbled on contact.
Ever since the Seventh-Rank Knight sent by the Count was focused-fired into oblivion by the tank company, the enemy had lost all will to fight. Whenever those steel beasts appeared on the horizon, morale evaporated.
Finally, a Viscount was pushed forward by his peers. Holding a white flag high, he walked trembling toward the lead tank...
Comments (0)
Please login or sign up to post a comment.